A Dramatic Composition 



THE FATE 

of 

MR. BRADY 



COPYRIGHTED 1915 
BY 

JAMES RICHARD CHASE 
Boston, Mass. 




Yours Sincerely, 

JAMES RICHARD CHASE 
%ht Jluthor 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 

A PLAY IN THREE ACTS 

Plain and brief, not tiresome. It is a joy to 

the home. Every page teaches a good 

moral. No Library is complete 

without this little book. 

Read it and be 

convinced. 



DRAMATIC PERSONAE 



MR. BRADY LAWYER HUNT 

MRS. BRADY MR. HARPER, the Millionaire 

MR. BRADY, Jr., (their son) THE COTTON KING 

THE MANAGER THE BOY 

STENOGRAPHER & BOOK KEEPER 
THE STRANGER THE DETECTIVE 

POLICE OFFICERS, &c, &c. 



T5 &*& 



©CI.D 40119 

WR 191915^ 



THE FATE OF MR, BRADY 



ACT I. ll 

Enter Mrs. Brady. 

(Parlor scene here). 

Mrs. Brady— Good evening, dear. Why, I thought he 
was here! He said that he would return positively at 8 
o'clock. It is now 9 o'clock, and he has not yet returned. 
I wonder what keeps him out until now? Must I sit here 
all alone until he returns ? Oh ! here he comes ! 
Enter Mr. Brady. 

Mrs. B. — What kept you so long, dear? 

Mr. Bradyl — Business. The worries of business make 
one almost frantic sometimes. 

Mrs. B. — Has anything gone wrong? 

Mr. B. — Gone wrong?. (He laughs). Why, only six 
months ago I invested one hundred thousand dollars in a 
concern that was reputed to be the most reliable and solvent 
concern in the country, and a few hours ago I was told 
by the president of it that the whole affair is insolvent. 

Mrs. B. — Do not allow that to worry you, dear, for 
while there is life there is also hope. You have a few 
thousand dollars left. If you invest it wisely it won't be 
long ere you retrieve your loss. When you and I were 
married you had only five thousand dollars to your name. 
You had just graduated from a business school. You en- 
tered the field of commerce with knowledge, only ; you had 
no experience, but fortunately you had a friend who in- 
structed you regarding how to invest and when to invest. 
You invested, met with success and made two hundred 
thousand dollars. A few months ago you were the owner 
of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in cash. 
Today, you own only twenty-five thousand dollars. That 
the loss of one hundred thousand dollars is great, I'll ad- 
mit, but at the same time you have gained much experi- 
ence instead. Do not be a poltroon. You cannot always 
lose. The other fellow has got his. You try and get yours, 
but in all you do, let honesty be your guide. 

Mr. B.;— Honesty? (He laughs). A Devil's Hell is 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



no place for an honest man. Can I successfully regain the 
one hundred thousand with my fingers mingling in honesty 
and my heart inclasped in piety? In sin I shall have to 
dwell. With devils I shall have to associate until I recover 
my loss. 

Mrs. B. — My dear, your discourse is not at all pleas- 
ant. It is true that poor investment has almost ruined 
you; that the thoughts of it are sufficient to drive anyone 
into deviltry, but you must remember, dear, that we have 
children that might survive us. let them at least have the 
example of a pure and honest life from which they can 
copy. There is retribution for every evil done. There- 
fore, if you carry out your intentions you may well expect 
a harvest of ills. 

Mr. B. — Your remonstrances are futile. Do you 
know how many men, women and children have been 
made happy at the cost of this, my present bereavement? 
I swear revenge upon anyone that crosses my path — man, 
woman, or child. 

Mrs. B. — Have you lost the human part of yourself? 
Are you transformed into a beast? I say again that there 
is retribution for every evil done. You said that my re- 
monstrances are futile, but futile as they seem now to 
you, impenetrable as they are to your stone-like heart at 
this present time, they will appear before you in the form 
of an apparition when it is too late, and mock your folly. 
I am your wife, your own dear wife. I wish you happi- 
ness, comfort, aye, all the bliss that humanity enjoys, but 
the inevitability of the destruction which your evil mind 
is leading you into makes me shiver. 

Mr. B. {He laughs) — My dear, I leave at 8 o'clock 
for New York. Tell the boy to pack my trunk and have 
it sent to the station. 

Mrs. B.\ — How long do you intend to stay in New 
York? 

Mr. B. — Until I make one hundred thousand or more 

Mrs. B. — May God bless you. 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



Mr. B. (He laughs) — There is no blessing for what 
I am going 1 to do. 

Mrs. B. — Then why do you not relinquish the idea? 

Mr. B. — Because I can't recover my loss otherwise. 

Mrs. B. — You may do whatever your mind dictates, 
but above all, be just to your fellow man. I am a poor 
woman. I look to you for everything, but I would rather 
die than spend one dollar of cursed money. Would I be 
able to live comfortably on money that I know has been 
gained through the intentional destruction of humanity? 
Would I be able to endure the pangs of remorse? Could 
I have comfort in my waking hours? Would not my 
sleep be disturbed by hideous nightmares? If you act as 
you now intend, I see you characterized by posterity as 
the most cruel, most brutal man that ever walked God's 
earth. 

Mr. B. (rising) — Oh! It is now ten minutes to 8. 
The train leaves at 8. I must go. Good-bye ! You will 
hear from me soon. 

Mrs. B. — You must write to me often. Do not let 
the fight to retrieve your loss make you forget that you 
have a wife far away from you who is thinking of you 
always. 

Mr. B. — Fear not, my dear, fear not. 

Mrs. B. (Offering her hand) — Good-bye. 
They part. 
Enter Lawyer Hunt. 

Mrs. B (With surprise) — Oh! It pleases me to see 
you again ! Have you been well ? I heard that you were 
away. 

Lawyer Hunt — Yes, I went to France about two years 
ago and have just returned, Mrs. Brady. 

Mrs. B. — I presume you had a pleasant time. 

Lawyer Hunt — Yes, I had a very pleasnt time and 
more than that, my health is greatly improved. 
. . Mrs. B. — I think it is improved, for you look much 
better than when I last saw you. Would you like to live 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



there? 

Lawyer Hunt— I would indeed. I am contemplating 
going back there to stay. 

M rs ^ B. — Do you think that France is healthier than 
America ? 

Lawyer Hunt — I do not think so, but I know this 
much, that it means a great deal to me physically. How 
is Mr. Brady? It is now three years since I saw him. 

Mrs. B. — He is well and looks the picture of health. 
He left an hour ago for New York. 

Lawyer Hunt — So you will be alone for awhile? 

Mrs. B. — Yes, but the worst of it is that I do not know 
how long he will be away, or whether I shall see him again 
alive, or have any comfort with him. 

Lawyer Hunt — Is there any grievance between you 
and him? 

Mrs. B. — No, I simply feel uncertain of his safe re- 
turn. 

Lawyer Hunt — Why do you have a foreboding of his 
unsafe return? Has he gone to New York to engage in 
something improper? 

Mrs. B. — Oh my friend! My friend! from youth! 
My only friend! Can I trust you? Will you keep a se- 
cret? Will you promise me faithfully that if I should 
tell you why Mr. Brady's safe return is doubtful to me 
you will not mention it to any one? 

Lawyer Hunt— I promise you, upon my honor, that 
I will keep it sacred. 

Mrs. B. — Then draw nearer and listen. Mr. Brady 
invested and lost one hundred thousand dollars. He is 
determined to retrieve it in any way even at the cost of 
human lives. I remonstrated but without success. He is 
gone to New York with no good intentions and what may 
befall him, only God knows. I am so nervous I do not 
know what to do. I won't be surprised if I should at any 
moment receive news that he is within the dreadful walls 
and iron bars of some prison, or a corpse, the victim of an 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



avenger. Oh, God! Thou that rulest all things; Thou 
that possessest power sufficient to conquer the universe and 
hast ingenuity that is incomprehensible to mankind, who 
canst make the sea a dry land and the lofty mountains fall ; 
Thou who canst make a mendicant a king and a king a 
mendicant, and whose mercy is infinite; Thou who makest 
the moon to shine, the stars to glitter, the thunder to roar, 
the lightning to flash, the storms to cease, and the sun to 
hide his face in yonder west, direct my husband's foot- 
steps, lest he rush blindly unto destruction! 

Lawyer Hunt — I pray you, compose yourself. That 
you are troubled, I know, but can you afford to ruin your- 
self by grieving over one who cares not for himself or 
you? A change in your features already I can see. Can 
you not feel the tremor of your frame? Beware lest when 
you are needed to help your husband, you will be either 
in an insane asylum or beneath the cold mold. 

Mrs. B. — Oh my friend! My friend! You are a 
lawyer. If misfortune befall Mr. Brady, would you do all 
in your power to help him? 

Lawyer Hunt — I told you not long ago that I intend 
returning to France to stay, which I am determined to do. 
My health precedes everything, even friendship, even 
money. 

Mrs. B. — My friend, listen. Are you not anxious to 
see Mr. Brady ere you return to France? 

Lawyer Hunt — Yes, I would be pleased to see him be- 
fore I return to France, but at the same time I will not 
stay here longer than I have planned just to see him. 

Mrs. B. — Do you regard yourself as a friend to me, 
a friend in time of bliss, and in time of sorrow? 

Lawyer Hunft — I was always a true friend to you and 
shall always be. 

Mrs. B. — Do you know what true friendship calls for? 

Lawyer Hunt — Yes, I know what it calls for. It calls 
for devotion and sacrifice. 

Mrs. B. — Then, are you willing to make a sacrifice 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



for friendship's sake? I am alone. My husband from a 
home of bliss, from a wife's devotion that was true, from 
a wife's caresses that were dear, to deviltry has fled. I 
have no one to speak to, no one to console me when 
thoughts arise to wreck my life. Oh! How my heart 
aches when I think of what might befall him. 

Lawyer Hunt — My friend, I say to you again, com- 
pose yourself. Your husband's intentions are fixed. Do 
you think you can change them by making yourself mis- 
erable? If you could view your folly you would very 
quickly avert your mind from it. I am a friend to you 
and freely give you a friend's advice. 

Mrs. B. — Why give me what I asked not of you? Do 
you know my real feelings, my heartaches and griev- 
ances? You can only see my outer self. My inner self is 
hidden from all mankind. 

Lawyer Hunt) — Would it make you happy if I, instead 
of returning to France, remain here with you? 

Mrs. B. — Yes, it would make me think less of the 
condition of things and thus give my life less misery. 

Lawyer Hunt — Then I promise faithfully to stay with 
you, but I wish you would control your emotions. 

Mrs. B. — How can I? Have you no idea of the rela- 
tion between a wife and a husband? What brings grief 
to him, brings grief to me also! I may not constantly be 
in this state of mind, for when you are in my presence my 
mind might be diverted, but, at the same time whenever 
I think of him it will grieve me. Oh ! I will give the very 
best I possess to reform him. 

Lawyer Hunt (He laughs) —You make me think of 
something that happened between my father and mother 
a few years ago. Mother always told father that she 
would part with anything she possessed to please him 
Father once had an engagement to fill in which he had to 
impersonate a woman. It was necessary for him to wear 
long hair such as women wear. He did not wish to wear 
the so-called ' rats," so he asked mother if she would part 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



with her natural hair only to please him. A more cruel 
look than that which mother gave father I never saw. 
Father had always believed what mother told him, but 
from this day in question he became doubtful. He could 
not understand how mother changed so quickly, for the 
favor, in his opinion, could have been easily granted. My 
advice to you is to take things easily. Never do things 
that you will be sorry for. Never interest yourself in any 
person to such an extent as to impair your health, and es- 
pecially if that person fails to appreciate the value of your 
interest. Always save yourself as much as possible, for 
by so doing you will be spared to be possibly of use to 
someone who will appreciate your benevolence. Do not 
allow your love for him to ruin you. 
Mrs. B. — (She laughs). 

Lawyer Hunt — I suppose what I said sounds all right, 
doesn't it? 

Mrs. B. — Oh my friend ! My friend ! Take your eyes 
from my heart lest you see really that which lies within. 
You are deceived! You say that I love. Do you know 
what love is? I say again that my inner self is hidden 
from all mankind. No one knows now whether I love or 
not. Only God and I know. 

Lawyer Hunt — Did you speak without thinking? 
Mrs. B. — Do you think that I am a maniac? 
Lawyer Hunt — No, I do not think so. 
Mrs. B. — Then why ask such a foolish question as 
"Did you speak without thinking?' 

Lawyer Hunt — Are you not a married woman ? 
Mrs. B. — Yes, I am. 

Lawyer Hunt — Then why say that no one knows now 
whether you love or not? Do you not love your husband? 
Mrs. B. — I pray you, my friend, do not question me 
thus. That you are a friend of mine, is true, but there is 
a limitation to our friendship and moreover our friend- 
ship does not admit of such personal interrogations. I 
pray you cease your questioning. 



10 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



Lawyer Hunt — Are we not true friends? 

Mrs. B.— Yes. 

Lawyer Hunt — And do you not know what true 
friendship calls for? 

Mrs. B. — Yes, I know what it calls for. It calls for 
devotion and sacrifice and nothing else. Do you think 
that because we are friends socially that I am going to — 

Lazvyer Hunt (with surprise) — Socially? Do you 
mean socially? 

Mrs. B. — Yes, I mean socially. (She laughs). 

Lazvyer Hunt — Then I had the wrong conception of 
our friendship. I thought it was intimate. 

Mrs. B. — Why do you think that social friendship can 
not be intimate also? Are you through mean, low 
thoughts converting yourself into a simpleton? Is there 
any friendship existing that does not play its part in so- 
ciety? Did you feel disappointed in me when I spoke of 
social friendship? Answer me quickly. 

Lazvyer Hunt — I cannot answer such a question. I 
cannot afford it. There is only one answer that I can 
truthfully give to it. If I give an answer, I will surely 
forfeit my friendship with you. 

Mrs. B. — Forfeit our friendly relations? Why do you 
cherish such a thought. Did you think ill of me after I 
spoke of social friendship? I perceived a convulsion of 
your face immdeiately after I uttered the words, "social 
friendship," but I knew not the reason why. Tell me 
quickly what your thoughts were at that time. If you 
honor your manhood you will speak the truth. If your 
friendship is as true as you say it is, you will answer me 
unhesitatingly and truthfully. 

Lawyer Hunt — I pray you, urge me not so eagerly to 
uttre words, though truthful, that might estrange us. I 
have seen my mistake betime. Please let the matter rest. 
Think not of it any longer and let our friendship remain 
as it always has been. 

Mrs. B. — Let the matter rest? Why, the more you 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 11 



refuse me that which I asked you, the more suspicious I 
become. What in the name of God could you have thought 
of that makes you so timid to utter it? Will you promise 
faithfully to tell me all if I promise you that I will forgive 
you and that we will remain friends as we always were. 

Lazuyer Hunt — Yes. 

Mrs. B. — Then tell me what your thoughts were. 

Lawyer Hunt — Oh! I can't! I can't! My tongue re- 
fuses to move to utter it. 

Mrs. B. {rising) — Tell me quickly or our friendship 
shall henceforth cease. 

Lawyer Hunt {Throwing up hands deprecatingly) — I 
pray you give me a few minutes more and I will tell it. 
Lawyer Hunt retires. 
Enter Stranger. 

Stranger — Are you Mrs. Brady? 

Mrs. B.— Yes. 

Stranger — I arrived here from Chicago about an hour 
ago and would have come to your house ere this, but I 
had much difficulty in locating it. {Handing her a letter), 
I presume you know the handwriting? 

Mrs. B. — Yes, it is my son's. Did you leave him in 
good health? 

Stranger — Not very good. 

Mrs. B. — Did you meet his brother? 

Stranger — Why no. He never even spoke of him. 

Mrs. B. — How long have you been acquainted with 
my son? 

Stranger — About six months. 

Mrs. BJ> — I will give anything to see my two sons now ! 

Stranger — It might do you some good to see the one 
whom I have not met, but not the one I have met, for it 
would grieve you. 

Mrs. B. {In astonishment) — Why do you speak thus? 
What do you mean to imply when you say that the pres- 
ence of my son will grieve me? Tell me quickly. Oh, I 
pray you tell me truthfully all about my son. Do not be 



12 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



timid to tell it, for nothing will be too disgraceful to me 
for you to mention about him if it is the truth. I wish 
to hear the truth. Oh, I desire to know all about what has 
befallen my boy. Four years ago he left his home and 
mother's tender care for Chicago, for it has always been 
his desire to go there and establish himself in commerce. 
He kept up a correspondence with me for three years and 
then ceased it. It is fully a year now since he wrote to 
me. I do not know why he does not write. I will give 
anything to see him. 

Stranger — Did he not say anything about his present 
condition in the letter? 

Mrs. B. — No. In it he simply introduced you and said 
that I would see him soon, and that when you reached 
here he would be on his way to Canada. 

Stranger, — It is strange he did not mention that to 
me! His actions sometimes make me think that he is 
insane. To tell you the truth, Mrs. Brady, I think your 
son's conscience is whipping him about something, for he 
seems worried all the time. He and I on sundry occasions 
have attended social gatherings, and his gestures on each 
occasion were such as to attract unnecessary attention. 

Mrs. B. — Tell me, I pray you, how does he act? Like 
a frightened person? 

Stranger — Yes, he acts very much like one. I remem- 
ber that we were once at a party. Some of the individuals 
composing the party were very intelligent. There was a 
Professor Shay with us who was enlightening us on a 
subject of great importance. Every person present was 
very attentive, but suddenly your son averted his head and 
placed his hands over his eyes as if to keep out something 
hideous. I watched him closely from that time and have 
always found him to act similarly. There is no doubt, 
Mrs. Brady, that your son has committed some crime, or 
done something that he is really sorry for. 

Mrs. B. — I wonder what it could be that he has done? 
Since he grew up he has been very honest, very upright. 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 13 



He believed always in doing the right thing. He has al- 
ways been a despiser of bad company, tobacco and whis- 
key. He would have rather thrown himself into Niagara 
Falls than crossed the threshold of a gambling den or a 
house of prostitution. Have you ever seen him indulging 
in or have you ever learnt that he indulged in any of the 
habits I have just mentioned? 

Stranger — I have always known him to be the man 
you said he was. I am quite certain that none of the hab- 
its which you mentioned had anything to do with the 
changing of him. But something has changed him. Some- 
thing has happened to him that might ruin him for life. 
When he comes you will hear it all. He sent and told 
you that he would be here soon. That you can depend 
upon, for he is very punctual. 

Mrs. B. (aside, soliloquizingly) — Troubles seem to 
shower down upon me like rain upon a desert plain. Like 
the dark clouds which precede a rainfall darken the firm- 
ament, so do my troubles kill my hopes of future happiness. 
Enter Lawyer Hunt. 

Mrs. Brady introduces Lawyer Hunt to Stranger. 

Stranger retires. ll 

Mrs. B. to Lawyer Hunt — You seem much worried? 
Have you not composed yourself sufficiently to be able to 
tell me that which I asked of you? In whose shoes art 
thou standing? A woman's or a man's? What is it that 
makes you so dreadfully timid? There, go look in that 
mirror and beholding your face tell me if you are not 
ashamed of it. Oh coward, flee from my presence. A 
coward such as you are never before lived. 

Lawyer Hunt — Oh, I pray you — 

Mrs. B. {rising) — Flee from my presence! Further 
explanation is unnecessary. If you have not sufficient 
courage to move yourself, remain where you are. 
Lawyer Hunt distracted, retires. 
Mrs. Brady resumes seat and reclines. 

Mrs. Brady's son enters with outstretched arms. 



U THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



Son — Oh mother! Mother! 

Mrs. B. — My son! My son! {Pressing son close to 
her bosom and kissing) My boy! Your presence has 
brought to me momentary bliss. 

Son — Why momentary? 

Mrs. B. — Because it is. I begin to grieve now, for 
you are so completely changed in your appearance. Are 
you suffering with the ravages of a disease? There, your 
cheek bones are fighting their way through the skin, your 
eyes sinking, and your whole frame a physical wreck. 
Tell me the reason of all this. Is it sickness? 

Son — No, I just can't eat as I should. I have eaten 
only five times in the last three weeks. 

Mrs. B. — Why do you starve yourself? Have you 
committed a crime that makes you so miserable that you 
cannot eat? Oh, my boy! My boy! Tell me of your 
troubles and I will do all I can to help you. 

Son — You cannot help me, mother, for it is now too 
late! I have but very little time, so listen to my story. 
I have ruined father and you also. Since I left home for 
Chicago I have been very successful in business. I worked 
out one of the cleverest money-making propositions in 
Chicago a few weeks ago for a friend and he made one 
hundred thousand dollars, but it was to my sorrow, for 
shortly afterwards I learnt that father was the victim. 
Oh! I could not rest from that time. I could not eat as 
I should. I was obnoxious to the tastes of my friends, 
for my soul was so haunted, as it is now, that I forgot all 
about propriety. Now and then I would see father before 
my mind's eyes, a wreck, and you also. I could not un- 
dergo the pangs which remorse brought me and so I 
grieved myself to this, and this is my last. When you see 
father tell him that I am gone before to make clear the 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 15 



way for him. Good-bye, mother. 

Mrs. Brady kisses him and he falls dead to the floor. 
Mrs B. (frantically) — Oh, my son! My son! Re- 
turn ! Return ! 

Curtain. 

END OF ACT I. 



16 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



ACT II. 

(Office scene here). 

Mr. Brady in his office. 
Enter Mr. Harper, the millionaire. 

Millionaire — Good afternoon, my friend. 

Mr. B (bowing) — Good afternoon, Mr Harper. Will 
you take a seat? 

Millionaire — Very well, my friend. 

Mr. B. — I presume that you have come to settle that 
little favor I asked you a few days ago to grant me, eh? 

Millionaire — Yes, and I am quite willing to grant you 
it. (The loan of $150,000) providing you promise me 
faithfully, upon your word of honor that you will return 
it as early as possible. 

Mrs. B. — My friend, I promise you upon my word of 
honor that I will return the amount at an early date. Do 
you wish security for it? 

Millionaire — My friend, your word is sufficient se- 
curity. I know you too well to take security. Since I have 
known you, you have been upright, honest and benevolent. 
You only can change the confidence I have in you. 
(Handing him a check). Here is the $150,000 you asked 
me for. 

Mr. B. — How much percentage do you wish on this 
loan? 

Millionaire — My friend, I have lent you $150,000 on 
friendly terms, not on business terms. When you are ready 
to return the amount, return that only. 

Mr. B. — If there should be necessity for it at any time 
in the far or near future, I would do as much for you as 
you have done for me, if I be able to do it. A friend such 
as you are is not easily found in these days. My parent? 
have never done more for me. 

Millionaire — I must leave you now, my friend, for I 



THE FATE OF MR, BRADY IT 



have some things of great importance to attend to. 

Mr. Bj — Do you need any assistance? If you do, I 
will very gladly give a helping hand. 

Millionaire — I appreciate your offer very highly, but 
the things I am going to attend to are strictly private. 
Good-bye. 

Millionaire retires. 

Mr. B (looking at his watch) — My employes are late 
this morning ! Oh, here they come ! 

Enter Manager, Stenographer and Bookkeeper. 

Mr. B. (turning to Manager) — I wish to speak to you. 

Manager — Very well, sir. 

Stenographer and Book-keeper busy. 

Mr. B. (to manager) — I succeeded in getting a loan 
of $150,000 from my friend, the millionaire. 

Manager — Very good! So we can start things a- 
going, eh? 

Mr. B. — Yes, but we have to think before we start, 
nay, will have to employ economy to make the affair a suc- 
cess. I have sufficient money to use 'tis true, but the money 
is not mine, it is borrowed money. I promised faithfully 
to return it as early as possible. If I am unable to do so, 
I might commit suicide. 

Manager — Commit Suicide ? 

Mr. B. (zvith a determined look) — Yes. 

Manger — Oh, nonsense. If you feel that way, relin- 
quish the idea of doing business. When a man starts out 
in business, these two things confront him: failure and 
success. But no sensible man thinks of the former. It 
should not be given a thought, for thinking of it is apt to 
blight one's hope of the latter and when one loses hope 
everything else is lost. Every man can fail very easily 
if he wishes to for it is the easiest thing to do. He does 
not have to exert himself or bring into play the best there 
is in him to bring about failure. All he needs to do is to 
bid the business good-bye and failure is his. But success 
requires more than that, for to succeed in anything one 



18 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



must first realize that there is something of great value in 
the thing desired. I am speaking from experience. I 
know of several persons who started business with three 
times as much money as you are going to start with and 
it was all borrowed money, but they never showed any sign 
of timidity. Do not be a coward. It does not become you. 

Mr. B. — I am far from being a poltroon. I said that 
I would commit suicide if I fail, because I know that life 
won't be anything to me, if I should, in consequence of 
my failure, rob a friend financially, who has been so kind 
as to lend me $150,000 without security, even without 
charge of interest, only because he regards me as a true 
and honest friend and desired to help me. A friend more 
sincere does not live. 

Manager — If you should fail, your friend, if a friend 
he be, would stand by you. Only then would you realize 
whether or not his friendship is sincere. Should he, after 
having learnt of your failure, instead of sympathizing with 
you and sharing the misfortune with you insist on having 
you pay the sum, though knowing that it has been blown 
to the winds, then he is not a friend, but an enemy. 

Mr. B. — To expect him to share with me such a loss 
would be an imposition on friendship's benevolence. I 
would rather die than live and face the fact that I am un- 
able to pay my debts. I could not endure it. 

Manager — We are wasting too much time on this sub- 
ject. We should, instead, discuss plans of operation. 

Mr. B. — I am grateful to you for having called my 
attention to that fact for we have three important ques- 
tions to settle, viz. : suitability of climate, proximity to 
railroad station, and cheap labor. The State of Georgia 
is the best place in the country for growing cotton and 
the plantation I am going to purchase is in Georgia, in 
close proximity to the railroad station, but cheap labor I 
am uncertain of, and without it we cannot do anything. 
We must pay the people less than they deserve. You 
must go to Georgia and make the necessary arrangements. 



THE PATE OF MR BRADY 19 



Manager — Sir, ere I leave, may I give my opinion of 
cheap labor? 

Mr. B. — Yes, the pleasure is yours. 

Manager — Sir, I do not agree with you on the ques- 
tion of cheap labor for it is something that will eventually 
ruin any business. In my opinion, employes should be 
made to feel that they are as much concerned in the busi- 
ness as the employer and the only way by which such a 
feeling will become common among employes will be by 
giving them to understand that they will share in the 
protfis of the business. When you accomplish that you 
will have accomplished all that the success of your busi- 
ness depends upon. 

Mr. B. — Go you then and arrange things to suit your- 
self. 

Manager retires. 

Mr.B. (to Stenographer) — I expect a gentleman (the 
cotton king) presently, have him wait until I return. 

Stenographer — Very well, sir. 

Mr. Brady retires. 
The Cotton King enters. 
Cotton King— Good morning. 

Stenographer — Good morning, sir. Have you come 
to see Mr. Brady? 

Cotton King — Yes. 

Stenographer — He will be here in a few minutes, sir. 
Will you wait for him? 

Cotton King — Yes. 

Stenographer — May I rest your coat and hat, sir? 

Cotton King— You may, for it will be great relief to 
me. 

Stenographer takes coat and hat and Cotton King takes a 

seat. Stenographer resumes her seat. 

Mr. Brady enters. 

Mr. B, — Good morning, my friend. Have you been 
waiting very long? 

Cotton King — No, I just came in. 



20 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



Mr. B. {Advancing to his desk) — Come this way, 
please. 

Cotton King follows. 

Mr. B. (Offering Cotton King a seat) — Did you re- 
ceive a letter from me yesterday? 

Cotton King — Yes. 

Mr. B. — Well, what have you to say about it? Are 
you willing to sell me that cotton plantation? I am offer- 
ing you seventy-five thousand dollars for it. 

Cotton King (with surprise) — Seventy-five thousand 
dollars? (He laughs). No one could purchase my plan- 
tation for that amount! I will not sell for less than one 
hundred and twenty thousand dollars. If you have any 
idea of the fortune you will be able to make on cotton three 
months hence, you will not hesitate in purchasing, nor will 
you think that my figure is too high. I have a crop now 
that I expect to reap inside of two months and which by 
estimation will bring a clear profit of one hundred and 
seventy-five thousand dollars were I to sell it at the pres- 
ent price of cotton. If I were not going to Europe, I 
would not sell for one hundred and eighty thousand dol- 
lars for it is expected that the price of cotton will increase 
thirty per cent three months hence. Here is the report 
on it from an expert on cotton trading. This expert is 
the cleverest cotton dealer in Chicago. My friend, the 
advantage you will have is this, only a few dealers are 
acquainted with the prospect of the sudden increase in the 
price of cotton. You can do just what they intend doing: 
buy all the cotton you can get now instead of making ar- 
rangerhents to sell, or selling any of what you will reap 
ere long, so that when its price goes up, you will be in a 
position to make a fortune. It is impossible for you to fail. 

Mr. B. — Is this account from a good source? 

Cotton King (handing a sheet to Mr. Brady) — Read 
this and you will learn the reason why the price of cotton 
is going to increase. 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 21 



Mr. B. having read the convincing account concludes 
to buy. 

Mr. B.r— -How much did you say you would sell for? 

Cotton King — One hundred and twenty thousand dol- 
lars. 

Mr. B. — Here is the full amount, one hundred and 
twenty thousand dollars. 

Cotton King turns over all the necessary papers to 

Mr. B. and retires. 

Enter Manager. 

Mr. B. (to Manager) — Well, I have purchased the 
cotton plantation for one hundred and twenty thousand 
dollars. 

Manager (with surprise) — One hundred and twenty 
thousand dollars? Why, I thought you said that you were 
going to purchase for seventy-five thousand dollars. 

Mr. B. — He would not sell for less than one hundred 
and twenty thousand dollars. The price is very high, I'll 
admit that ; but he has shown me how I could make a for- 
tune on the investment. He said that if he were not going 
to Europe to stay he would not have sold at that price, 
for the price of cotton is going to increase 30 per cent. 
He also told me that only a few individuals are acquainted 
with this fact, and that they are going to purchase all the 
cotton they can get instead of selling so that when its 
price goes up they will be in position to sell and make a 
fortune. 

Manager — Is there any truth in that report? 

Mr. B. — It came from a good source, from the shrewd- 
est cotton dealer in Chicago. 

Manager — If the rumor be true, it is a good invest- 
ment. 

Mr. B. — Oh, it is true for I read the account myself 
and in it one can plainly see why the price of cotton will 
increase. There is no doubt that I am going to succeed. 

Manager — I wish you success, but I am doubtful. 
Those Chicago business men are always working out 



22 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



money-making schemes and they are so clever with them 
that they always succeed. I hope that you are not their 
victim this time. 

Mr. B. (he laughs) — Have you succeeded in getting 
laborers ? 

Manager — Yes, sir. I got seventy-five men and forty 
women. The men want $1.50 per day and the women want 
$1.00 per day. 

Mr. B. — Here's fifteen thousand dollars for the carry- 
ing on of the affair. Use it to the best advantage, taking 
all precautions against unnecessary expenses. A crop is 
expected seven weeks hence, and the few dollars I have 
must keep things agoing until then. A train leaves here 
for Georgia in fifteen minutes. Take that train. It ar- 
arrives in Georgia at eight o'clock tomorrow morning and 
by eight-thirty you can reach the plantation. You will 
then have sufficient time to make arrangements for the 
ensuing day. We have no time to waste now. We must 
be up and doing for every minute, every second, means 
something to the business. An hour's neglect might pro- 
duce the loss of a few thousand dollars, so try and catch 
that train. 

Manager retires. 

(Nine weeks have passed). 

Mr. B. at his desk zitriting. 
Mrs. B. enters. 

Mr. B. — Oh! I am so glad to see you! I was just 
writing to you! 

Mrs. B. silent. . . 

Mr. B. — Why are you so pensive? Are you worried? 

Mrs. B. — Worried? I thought by this I would have 
been a corpse. 

Mr. B. — Why, are you suffering physically? 
Mrs. B. remains silent. 

Mr. B. — You make me uneasy! Can you not tell me 
of your suffering, whether it be physical, mental, or both 
combined? Have I not been writing to you often? Have 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 23 



I not been sending regularly to you sufficient support? 
Tell me of your trouble, I pray you tell me. 
Mrs. B* — It is yours as well as mine. 
Mr. B. — Then why hesitate in telling me? 
Mrs. B. — Because I fear that you might collapse. 
Mr. B. (laughing) — Collapse, if the loss of one hun- 
dred thousand dollars did not cause me to collapse, what 
can? ! r ! 

Mrs. B. — Do you value money more than your family? 
Mr. B. (smiting) — Is my family anything to me with- 
out money? I'd rather be a corpse than a living pauper. 
With me, 'tis money first, and family afterwards. 

Mrs. B. — Are you speaking with a madman's tongue? 

Mr. B. (he laughs). 
Mrs. B. — You may laugh at what I say now, but the 
time is drawing nigh when you will wish that you had 
never spoken thus. Since you prefer money to your fam- 
ily and since it is money that has brought you here, I'll 
no longer hesitate in telling you of my trouble in which 
you are also concerned. Your son is dead, the elder one. 
Mr. B. (frantic)— Oh, My God! My God! What is 
this that has come upon me? 

Mrs. B. (sternly) — Play not the part of a hypocrite. 
Five minutes have not elapsed since you said that you 
cared more for money than you did for your family, and 
now, are you collapsing over this news? Did you not say 
a few minutes ago that if the loss of one hundred thou- 
sand dollars did not cause you to collapse that nothing 
could? Are your cries to God of sorrow or are they of 
joy? If you are a man, act like a man. If you shed tears 
sufficient to drown the universe I will not believe it is be- 
cause your son is dead. 

Mr. B. — Will you not pardon me for what I have 
said? Will you not forgive me the wrong I have done 
you? 

Mrs. B. — You have not wronged me. It is your own 
self that you have wronged, and you will feel it ere long. 



24 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



Mrs. B. retires. 

Mr. B. in contemplation. 

Manager enters. 

Manager to Mr. B. — You look restless, sir. Have you 
had any unpleasant news? 

Mr. B. — Yes, my son is dead. 

Manager — Have you not heard anything else? 

Mr. B.— No. 

Manager — Why, your business has failed. 

Mr. B— Failed? 

Manager — Yes, sir, for the cotton we have reaped is 
less than one-fourth of the amount of your estimate, and 
that report you got from Chicago about the price of cot- 
ton increasing thirty per cent is true, but we can't get any 
cotton to purchase. The whole plantation as it now stands 
is worth less than one-half of what you paid for it. I see 
nothing in the near future, or the present, but failure. 

Mr. B. — Failure? And did you spend all I gave you? 

Manager — Yes, sir, and had I not been economical, 
you would have been obliged to send me a few dollars more 
for the amount I had to pay to laborers weekly was $915. 
I had seventy-five men at $1.50 a day and forty women at 
$1.00 a day. I spent three thousand dollars for fertiliza- 
tion, the necessary repairs to the factory cost three thou- 
sand two hundred dollars and I suppose you know what my 
pay was. We had fully nine weeks of work so you can 
figure the whole thing out. You gave me fifteen thousand 
dollars. 

Mr. B. silent. 

Manager slowly retires. 

After an interim of 15 minutes, Millionaire enters. 

Millionaire — Good afternoon, my friend. 

Mr. B. (bowing) — Good afternoon, my lord, (a jest). 

Millionaire — I heard that you have failed; is it true? 

Mr. B. — Yes, I have robbed you financially. 

Millionaire (with surprise) — Robbed me financially? 
Why, are you not ready to pay me the one hundred and 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 25 



fifty thousand dollars which I lent you? 

Mr. B. — I am willing to pay you, my friend. 

Millionaire — My friend, I want to know if you are 
ready ? 

Mr. B. r&mains silent. 

Millionaire — Have you the one hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars ready? 

Mr. B. — Too stern, my friend, too stern. I cannot 
answer you. 

Milionakt — Can you not answer a simple question? 

Mr. B. — To you, my friend, such a question might be 
simple, but to me it is not. 

Millionaire — There are only two answers to my ques- 
tion. Yes or no. Tell me I pray you if that be not true. 

Mr. B. — Very true, my friend, very true. 

Millionaire — And can you not say either? Tell me if 
your answer be the former or the latter? 

Mr. B. — My friend, the latter is my answer. 

Millionaire — Ah, my friend, then you are a scound- 
relly person, eh ? I never would have believed it of you. 

Mr. B. — You are wrong, my friend; I am neither 
scoundrelly nor a scoundrelly person, nor a scoundrel. I 
am an honorable, upright man. 

MiUionaire (derisively) — If you're honest, prove it 
then. 

Mr. B. — I will, my friend, if you will give me sufficient 
time. 

Millionaire — But suppose time fail in enabling you to 
prove your honesty, then what will you do? 

Mr. B. — I would put myself on your mercy. 

Millionaire (he smiles) — Are you a poltroon? 

Mr. B. — A coward? Do you see any mark of cow- 
ardice on me? 

Millionairs — Did you not speak of mercy ? 

Mr. B— Yes. 

Millionaire — And is not that a coward's thought? 
Mr. B. remains silent. 



26 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



Millionaire — Ah, my friend, if anyone had told me this 
of you, I would not have believed it. You are a coward 
from the crown of your head to the sole of your feet. 
You have not courage enough to make effort to save your 
own self from ignominy. 

Mr. B. — Ignominy? What do you mean by that re- 
mark? 

Millionaire — If you do not comprehend now, you will 
later. 

Mr. B. — Can you not explain yourself more plainly? 
Millionaire — I have spoken plainly enough. 

Mr. B. — You say that you have spoken plainly enough, 
but you have not. You are a liar! 

Millionaire — Pray, do not enrage me for you might 
suffer the consequences. 

Mr. B. — Do you think that I dread suffering? 

Millionaire — The thoughts of it may not frighten you, 
but when it lays its hands upon you, you will wish that 
you had never been born. 

Mr. B. — "Are you a friend who speaks ? 

Millionaire — 'Tis a friend who speaks? 

Mr. B. {scornfully) — No, not a friend. An enemy. 

Millionaire — Enemy? Tell me where on God's earth 
can you find an enemy who will do as much as I did for 
you? Answer me quickly. 

Mr. B. — I found one months ago. 

Millionaire — Go, bring him before me so I may ob- 
serve him closely. 

Mr. B. (smiling) — He is here now! 

Millionaire — Where ? 

Mr. B. (pointing to a mirror) — Go look into that mir- 
ror against the wall and you will see him. 

Millionaire (angrily)}— Is it I to whom you have ref- 
erence? Do you call me an enemy? 

Mr. B. — Did you you not wish me evil? Is that a 
friend's wish? Did you not threaten me that you would 
make me suffer so I would wish I had never been born ? 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 27 



Millionaire — I said it because I was angry. 

Mr. B< — Angry? 

Mr. B. {he laughs) 

Millionaire — Were you never angry? 

Mr. B. — Yes, but I always exercised my anger on my 
enemies and not on my friends. He who wishes one evil, 
does not wish it because he is angry, but because he hates 
one. You should love your friends as you love yourself. 
Were you ever made so angry that you wished yourselt 
evil? No, is your answer. You cannot swear yes. By 
all the gods in heaven and demons in hell you cannot. 
Ah, now is the time to prove that anger sometimes makes 
persons wrong their friends and even do things uncon- 
sciously. That you are angry now, I know. There, your 
blood is righting its way through the face, your eyes are 
like a hungry tiger's in search of prey, and your brow's 
contracted. If anger made you unconsciously wish me 
evil let it make you unconsciously wish me well by giving 
me an extension of time to pay my debt. 

Millionaire — You have not the right conception of 
anger. Do you think that it is something that comes 
through earnest invocation ? No, it is like a harmless little 
spark which, when kindled into a flame or action, becomes 
a conflagration and seeks to destroy everything within its 
reach. It aims not at a particular thing, but at everything. 
I am not angry now. I am pleased. If I become angry, 
you might suffer by it. I might do you an injury. 

Mr. B. — My friend, will you not give me sufficient 
time to liquidate the debt ? 

Millionaire — There is nothing else for me to do but 
to give you the time to pay it, but can you not give me 
one hundred thousand dollars of it now? I will wait for 
the balance. 

Mr. B. — Meet me here tomorrow. I will then be able 
to give you a definite answer. At least, I think I will be 
able to give you what you asked for. 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



Millionaire assents and retires. 

Mrs. B. enters. 

Mr. B. approaches Mrs. B., throws his hands around her 

shoulders and kisses her. 

Mrs. B. remains silent. 

Mr. B. — I am very glad to see you I was wishing 
that you might come to see me. Have you been well? 

Mrs. B. — No, my mind is troubled. I am tired of life. 

Mr. B. — What has happened? Are you suffering with 
a malady that you cannot overcome? 

Mrs. B. — Not with a malady, but with thoughts of the 
fact that in all humanity one cannot find a true friend. 

Mr. B. — Have you not a friend on whom you can de- 
pend? Am I more fortunate than you in that respect? I 
have a friend who has been everything a friend could be 
although his actions are at present apparently those of an 
enemy. 

Mrs. B. — Who is that friend? 

Mr. B. — Harper, the millionaire. 

Mrs. B. — The millionaire? Ah, my dear, you are 
blindfolded. You cannot see the weapon which your friend 
carries in his hands. Since you are my husband, I will 
not hesitate to make clear to you the cause of your failure 
in your investment in cotton. I know it all, but before I 
tell you, I wish you to answer this question. Will you 
believe that your friend, the millionaire is the whole cause 
of your failure? 

Mr. B. — I am willing to believe any tangible informa- 
tion regarding the matter and especially if it comes through 
you as I would not doubt your veracity. 

Mrs. B. — Well, listen. Your friend, the millionaire, 
having learnt of the big crop that you were expecting and 
of your intention to keep all the cotton you can get until 
its price increased and then sell and make a fortune, spent 
quite a few thousand dollars in paying expert agriculturists 
that were in disguise as laborers on your plantations, to 
destroy the fertilization of the plants and in consequence 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 29 



of which a blight was brought upon the whole crop. He 
also fixed things so that you were unable to get any cot- 
ton to purchase. He did this all just because he wishes to 
come into possession of the plantation. When he heard it 
was for sale, you had already bought it and knowing just 
how you were situated financially, he planned to ruin you. 
Ah, that is the man whom you call a friend. That is the 
man who is dragging you into indigence, into ignominy. 
Oh, God, deliver me from such a friend. 

Mr. B. — Tell me, where did you get this news? 

Mrs. B. — I heard it on the train. I was sitting behind 
him and heard him word after word as he told the story 
to a friend, a Mr. Brown. 

Mr. B. — I shall settle this with him when he comes. 
I expect him soon. {Listening) . I hear a footstep now. 
I think that is he. Go hide yourself in that room (point- 
ing to it) until I settle with him. 

Mrs. B. retires to room. 
Millionaire enters. 

Millionaire — Well, my friend, I am on the spot. 

Mr. B. — Yes, and a very holy spot. 

Millionaire — Well, I suppose you know what has 
brought me here today? 

Mr. B. (he laughs) — Do you know what has brought 
you here today? 

Millionaire — Yes, the hundred thousand dollars which 
you promised to pay. 

Mr. B. — My friend, I have more than that for you. 

Millionaire — All the better (rubbing the palms of his 
hands). 

Mr. B. — We have quite a settlement to make. Have 
we not? 

Millionaire — Yes . 

Mr. B. — Well, we will make it now. But before we 
make it, answer me this question. Why did you close the 
doors of the sale of cotton against me and destroy the 
fertility of my cotton plants? 



30 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



Millionaire (with surprise) — Why do you think I did 
that to you? 

Mr. B. — I do not think so. I know so. Were you not 
on the train a few days ago with your friend, Mr. Brown? 

Millionaire — Yes 

Mr. B. — Well, I was sitting behind you and heard you 
word after word as you told the story to Mr. Brown. 
I was so hurt that I felt like blowing your head off, but 
I thought it best to wait until we were alone for I desire 
God only to witness this settlement between us. Oh God! 
Give me the power to deal with this scoundrel according 
to his deeds. Give me the power, I pray Thee, give me the 
power. 

Millionaire — Ah, my friend, you seem to ignore all I 
have done for you in the way of kindness. 

Mr. B. — Your kindness was merely an intrigue of 
yours. With the veil of kindness thrown over my eyes, 
you led me blindly into this. With an insidious hand cov- 
ered with friendship's glove, you led me into this place in 
life, and now you urge my precipitation. Must I fall and 
leave you in wealth's loftiness, looking down upon me in 
indigence and ignominy? No, my friend, it will not be 
so for before I fall, your corpse I shall look upon. You 
shall not escape me. Your. life is mine. You cannot re- 
deem yourself. You shall pay the price. 
Millionaire is silent. 

Mr. B. — Treacherous wretch, prepare to meet thy 
God! 

Mr. B. shots at the millionaire piercing his heart with a 
bulkt. The millionaire falls dead to the floor 



CURTAIN. 
END OF ACT II. 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 31 



ACT III. 

(Office scene here). 
Mr. B. standing over the dead body of the millionaire with 
a revolver in his hand. 
Mrs. B. enters. 

Mrs. B. {frightened) — Oh, my God, my God, you have 
killed him ! You have killed him ! You have now com- 
pletely wrecked yourself. You have brought an indelible 
stigma upon your family. Oh, my dearest son! When 
I looked upon your corpse not long ago, my heart pained 
me. I saw nothing around me that could suffice for con- 
solation. I wept, I mourned. I saw at that time only 
the painful and worse side of my loss, but today, my son, 
I see the soothing and better side of it. I am now lost in 
reverie over the fact that you are not here to undergo the 
pangs of the stigma which your father's wrecklessness has 
brought upon his family. I thank God that you are where 
you can not feel. Sleep on, my son, sleep on. (Turning 
to Mr. B.) Be silent. I think I hear a footstep. Who can 
it be? An officer of the law? Yes, it is an officer. He 
is coming to investigate. Go hide yourself lest the guilt 
which your face carries upon it expose you to detection. 
Be quick! Be quick! 

Mr. B. retires. 
Detective enters. 

Detective (showing badge)— Are you Mrs. Brady? 

Mrs. B. — Yes. 

Detective — Does Mr. Brady live here? 

Mrs. B. — Yes, whenever he is in the city. 

Detective — Has he been here lately? 

Mrs. B. — Oh, not long ago. 
m Detective — Do you know whether or not he is ac- 
quainted with the millionaire banker, Mr. Harper? 



32 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



Mrs. B. — I do not. 

Detective — It is rumored that they were together a 
few days ago. Is such a rumor true? 

Mrs. Bj — Well, I think I saw them together a few 
days ago, if I did not take some other gentleman for Mr. 
Harper. 

Detective — Have you ever heard Mr. Brady speaking 
of or were you ever told by him that a millionaire whose 
name is Harper, financially helped him in securing a cotton 
plantation ? 

Mrs. B. — Mr. Brady told me of the kindness of a 
millionaire friend who lent him $150,000, but he never 
mentioned his name. I am quite sure, however, that the 
Mr. Harper of whom you ask is the man. 

Detective — Do you know where Mr. Brady could be 
found now? The police are in search of him. 

Mrs. B. — In search of him? Why, what has he done? 

Detective — Mr. Harper was found dead in Mr. 
Brady's office a few days ago with a bullet in his heart. 
Several persons have given evidence that they saw Mr. 
Harper enter the office on the day in question. 

Mrs. B. — So you are looking for Mr. Brady because 
you assume that he is the murderer? 

Detective — I have not assumed anything. I am sim- 
ply investigating. It is no more than right that investiga- 
tion be made of anyone who is found dead as Mr. Harper 
was found or otherwise. The testimonies which have 
been given publicly in the case are such that the public's 
belief is that Mr. Brady is the murderer. It is therefore 
up to us as officers of the law to investigate and find out 
the right of things. If it be proven that Mr. Brady is 
guilty, or not guilty, the law would then take its course, 
and the general public would be satisfied. Until then, 
there will be a conflict of opinion. I am sorry to say this 
Mrs. Brady, but I think Mr. Brady will be indicted for 
the murder, for it is too apparent for him to escape. I 
also think Mrs. Brady, that you know of Mr. Brady's 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 33 



whereabouts, and advise you to give me information re- 
garding it. If you do that it will mean a great deal to 
him in the trial. The more trouble he gives the police, the 
harder he makes things for himself. 

Mrs. B. — Mr. Brady disappeared very strangely a few 
days ago. I was out visiting when he left. He left a note 
for me in which he informed me of the fact that he was 
called away hurriedly, and that he could not wait to inform 
me personally of it. Knowing that it might be on busi- 
ness, and that business men sometimes receive such calls, 
I accredited the whole matter to what he said. I never 
thought that anything of this kind had happened. You 
may think that I am saying this because Mr. Brady is so 
closely connected to me, but believe me, my dear gentle- 
man, I never thought that anything of this nature had 
happened. I am so nervous over this news that I do not 
know what to do or say, and especially when I think of 
the fact that the public is watching him. The millionaire 
was a very kind man to Mr. Brady, so kind that I will 
not believe that Mr. Brady murdered him unless he con- 
fesses to it. The nature of this case is not at all strange 
to me. The evidence is purely circumstantial. I have on 
sundry occasions witnessed the conviction and sentencing 
of persons to the chair on circumstantial evidence. As 
time rolled on, proofs came up that those persons were 
innocent, but what could the courts do? What could 
the public do? That public which the arbiters of the 
courts and officers of the law are always eager to satisfy. 
Ere those convicted ones were unjustly laid away in sense- 
less dust, they plead for clemency, for justice in their in« 
nocence, but the eager desire of arbiters to adhere to pub- 
lic opinion, made them too dull of comprehension in the 
line of justice. If I were in a jury or on the bench, I 
would not convict a man on circumstantial evidence. If 
direct evidence could not be given, I would declare the 
indicted innocent. All the sages of the universe could not 
convince me of the guilt of anyone on circumstantial evi- 



34 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



dence. You may be seeking an innocent man now to im- 
prison him. You can't doubt it. You may be the mur- 
derer of the millionaire. One of them who gave evidence 
may be the guilty one. I dare you to deny it. To deny 
it you must have seen the murder at the time it was com- 
mitted. 

Detective — Do you not think that there is reason for 
Mr. Brady's strange disappearance? If he were here to 
defend his name, the public might be convinced by this 
that he is innocent, notwithstanding that appearances are 
against him. No one knows where he can be found. You 
are his wife and even you are unable to give proper in- 
formation regarding where he can be located. All these 
things make the general public more suspicious of him. 
You can't blame us for investigating. You can't blame 
the public for accusing him for his very disappearance 
immediately after the murder makes it apparent that he 
is guilty. That he was with the millionaire on the day in 
question has been proven. We need him, not because we 
desire to indict him, but because he might be able to give 
us better evidence in the case than we have already got- 
ten. The police need him and they are going to get him 
before long. 

Detective retires. 
Mr. B. enters. 
Mrs. B. to Mr. B. — Be silent. I did not hear the clos- 
ing of the door. The detective is not yet gone. He might 
be listening for what he thinks might ensue. I'll go to 
see if he be gone. 

Mrs. B. retires. 

Mr. B. in deep meditation. 

Mrs. B. enters. 

Mrs. B.- — He is gone! Everything is clear. 

Mr. B. — Clear? I canot see it. I dare not leave this 

house. I listened to the interview the detective had with 

you and heard him very distinctly when he said that public 

opinion was antagonistic to me, I am known throughout 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 35 



the city. I cannot go up or down or traverse a street 
without being seen by someone who knows me. If I do 
not escape from this city, I will be captured. But how can 
I escape when I dare not enter the street, a car, a train, 
a carriage, or any conveyance unobservedly. If an air- 
ship were to come here to take me away, I would be seen 
upon entering it. I say this, because I feel quite sure that 
this house is being watched. If you had given the officer 
some false information regarding my whereabout, I would 
not have been cornered, but would have had a better 
chance to escape, because his search for me would have 
then been devoted entirely to the place where you told 
him I would be, but as things are situated now, there is 
nothing else for me to do but remain where I am. 

Mrs. B. — Oh, my dear, you can't do that. You will 
have to leave this place as quickly as possible. I have a 
foreboding of the detective's return to search this place 
for you. I would rather have you captured in an intrepid 
attempt to escape than in the cowardly act of hiding. 

Mr. B. — If you were in my shoes, you would think 
a thousand times before you do that which you urge me 
so eagerly to do. 

Mrs. B. — Can you with certainty say that if you were 
to attempt to escape you would be caught? There are two 
things that will confront you in your attempt to escape. 
They are, firstly, that you may be captured, and secondly 
that you may escape, whereas if you do not try to escape, 
only one thing confronts you in the dastardly act of hid- 
ing, which is that you may be caught. The police are de- 
termined to find you and they will eventually if you re- 
main here. You are the murderer of Mr. Harper and 
you know it as well as I. The circumstances in the case 
are such that it is apparent to the public that you are the 
guilty one. There is no doubt in my mind that you cannot 
escape the indictment, and if indicted, you are sure to be 
convicted. You cannot escape it. You cannot. 

Mr. B. — Do you really mean that I must leave this 



36 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



house ? 

Mrs. B. — Yes. 

Mr. B. — Then leave I must, but will I be able to en- 
dure the pain which thoughts will be conveying to me as 
my mind wanders in search of information regarding your 
welfare? Will I be able to become an exile from you? No. 
No. 

Mrs. B+ — All that is true, my dear, but you must save 
yourself. Say not that you would grieve to become an exile 
from me, for you do not mean it. Two months have not 
elapsed since you said that with you, " Twas money first, 
and family afterwards.' " That you would even blight my 
happiness in struggling for pecuniary gain, if by doing 
so you could succeed. Is not your life more valuable to 
you than money? Answer me this simple question. 

Mr. B. — Yes, but what is life to anyone if he or she 
be not comfortable in mind? 

Mrs. B. — Ah, my dear, while there is life, there is 
hope. Time brings with it great changes. We may live 
happily together again ere we breathe our last. 

Mr. B. — Happiness? I am not thinking of it. If I 
do, I will be wasting precious thoughts on an impossi- 
bility. The bloodstain of Harper which is on my hand is 
indelible. The thoughts of this crime are going to haunt 
me even in my grave There is nothing in this world with 
which I can assist me in escaping castigation for it and 
especially remorse. I'd rather die than live the life which 
looks me full in the face and makes clear exposition of its 
unchanging nature. Each day of my existence will make 
my existence more miserable. Misery of life, misery of 
soul, misery of mind, what else is there left to suffer? 

Mrs. B. — I can imagine what your feelings are. You 
do not have to tell me. Your very actions not long ago 
bespoke your eager desire to escape the penalty of the law, 
and that was why I urged you to escape, if possible. If 
you would rather die than live, then to escape is unneces- 
sary, but I fail to see any sense in your way of reasoning. 



THE FATE OF MR, BRADY 37 



Mr. B. — You do not understand me clearly. 

Mrs. B. — Why? Did you not speak plainly? 

Mr. £.— Yes. 

Mrs. B. — Then, why do you think that I have misun- 
derstood you? 

Mr. B. — Because your comprehension of the matter 
is altogether different to what I mean. If I do not escape, 
the officers will eventually have me, I will be indicted and 
without doubt be convicted and consequently die an igno- 
minious death. This kind of a death was not what I had 
refernce to, for I do not wish to leave you disgraced, with 
the weight of shame bending low your head to the dust. 
I wish to die a death which will leave behind it a spotless 
reocrd of my life's work, though truthfully it will be in- 
famous. I am quite sure that the mark of guilt which my 
face carries would convict me were I facing any court of 
justice. I can hear now the judge reading my sentence 
of death At such a thought I shiver, especially when 1 
think of you left behind me and derided wherever you 
might go. My life is nothing to me now, for I can find 
no comfort in it. I think that suicide is my only refuge. 
It seems the only way out. 

Mrs. B. — Why would you commit suicide? 

Mr. B. — Only to shield your name. 

Mrs. B. — You cannot shield my name by suicide. You 
would expose it shamefully. 

Mr. B. — Apparently, you are very dull of comprehen- 
sion. Can you not understand the situation of affairs ? 

Mrs. B. — I did that long ago, for I saw both sides, pro 
and con. 

Mr. B. — And yet you fail to agree with me? 

Mrs. B. — I fail to agree with you because you art 
thinking only of things here below and not of things above. 
Man can ridicule man and say all manner of things against 
man, but man cannot give man eternal bliss. Man's po- 
tency on earth is like that of a piece of paper which when 
being carried along by a gale, apparently has the power 



3g THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



to fly, a power which God gave it not, but the gale soon 
ceases and the paper finds itself helplessly falling down 
to the ground from whence it was taken. What care I 
about what man says about me ! What care I about man's 
opinion of me if God be for me? What care I about what 
man does to me on earth, if I be sure that when my life 
is ended (and which I will be sure of if I repent in time) 
my soul will find its way to eternal repose. 

Mr. B. (he smiles)^— What do you know about eternal 
bliss? Do you think that there is a hereafter? 

Mrs. B. — I am not in a position, nor is an human be- 
ing in a position to aver that there is or is not a hereafter, 
but since it is being taught to us that there is one, we 
should, even if we be doubtful keep on the safe side of our 
skepticism. We are being taught day after day that if 
we do that which is right, our souls will be happy forever, 
and that if we do that which is wrong our souls will be 
in eternal misery. None of this can we with certainty 
doubt. Therefore the best thing for us to do is to labor 
for the better, the hereafter in which our souls will find 
the way to endless felicity. Fear not what man may con- 
spire to do to you. Fear not the punishment which man 
may inflict upon you, for any crime which you commit, 
but fear God's wrath and anger. You can evade man's 
wrath and act of punishment, but you cannot escape God's. 
Think of this as long as you live and you will honor and 
adore your Maker and doing that, you will at the same 
time, keep all his commandments. 

Mr. B. (rising suddenly) — Someone is at the door! 

Mrs. B. — There, hide yourself. It may be an officer 
of the law. 

Mr. B. retires. 
Lawyer Hunt enters. 

Lawyer Hunt — Oh, my dear Mrs. Brady. I am very 
glad to see you. Your presence, I assure you, fills my 
heart with joy. 

Mrs. B. — Have you been in the city since I last saw 



THE FATE OP MR. BRADY 39 



you? 

Lawyer Hunt — No, I have been away on a vacation. 
I would have written you while I was away, but knowing 
that you were angry with me the last time we were to- 
gether, I thought it best noLto write. 

Mrs. B. — Oh, my friend, you do not know how happy 
it would have made me if I had received a letter from 
you. One from you would have been consoling to me in 
my bereavement. 

Lawyer Hunt — Bereavement? What do you mean by 
that? Are you, or were you in any trouble since I last saw 
you? 

Mrs. B. — I have been in distress since and am now. 

Lawyer Hunt — If there is anything that I can do to 
help you, I would very gladly do it. 

Mrs. B. — Would you really? 

Lawyer Hunt — I will, unhesitatingly. Tell me the 
cause of all of your grief and I will do all I can to free 
you from it. 

Mrs. B. — Can I trust you? There are a few things 
that I shall have to mention which are condfiential, there- 
fore, I wish you to take an oath before me and your God 
that you will not divulge it to anyone. 

Lawyer Hunt — I promise you by lifting my right 
hand in oath before God, and with my left hand upon my 
breast, that I will not reveal it. 

Mrs. B. — Then listen. Things have happened just as 
I told you, not long ago, they might. Mr. Brady is being 
sought for now by the police. He is accused of murder. 

Lawyer Hunt (with surprise) — Murder. 

Mrs. B. — Yes, he is accused of the murder of a Mr. 
Harper, a millionaire. Of course the evidence against him 
is purely circumstantial, but at the same time, it is appar- 
ent that he is guilty. 

Lawyer Hunt — Why is it apparent that he is guilty ? 

Mrs. B. — Because the millionaire was shot in Mr. 
Brady's office and the worst of it is that Mr. Brady hid 



40 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



himself from the police and the public immediately after 
the murder. 

Lawyer Hunt — What do you mean to say that he has 
become an exile from you? 

Mrs. B. — No, he is here hiding. 

Lawyer Hunt — Well, my dear, Mrs. Brady, the best 
thing for Mr. Brady to do is to make a getaway for it is 
the only chance he has to escape the chair. It is true that 
I am a lawyer, but it would be a waste of time for me to 
try to successfully defend him. The evidence against him 
is too strong, especially if his victim be the one who as- 
sisted him in business by lending him one hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars, and in which business he afterwards be- 
came insolvent and consequently was unable to make good 
the loan at the time appointed and at which time the mur- 
der was done. 

Mrs. B. (in surprise) — Why, I never thought you 
knew anything about Mr. Brady's having borrowed one 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I thought his man- 
ager and I were the only people with the exception of Mr. 
Harper who knew anything about it. Who told you about 
it? 

Lawyer Hunt — I overheard it in a club a few days 
ago. 

Mrs. B. — Mr. Brady claims that there is no possible 
chance for him to escape. He alleges that this house is 
being watched and that if he were to attempt to escape he 
would be caught. This he does not desire to happen as it 
would mean nothing but disgrace to me. He also claims 
that he could not become an exile from me without griev- 
ing over it. 

Lawyer Hunt — If I were you I would insist on his 
leaving here as quickly as possible. This is no time for 
him to think of how painful it would be to him to become 
an exile from you for his life is at stake. If he values 
not his life, how <?an he value anything else? 

Mrs. B, — To tell you the truth, my dear friend, I 



THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 41 



think Mr. Brady is out of his mind for he made a sugges- 
tion to me not long ago of an action that shocked me. I 
was so surprised that I almost said things I might have 
ben sorry for afterwards. His suggestion was that he 
commit suicide and thus terminate the whole affair. 

Lawyer Hunt — Oh that is to be expected. The poor 
fellow's thoughts are perpetually wandering day after day 
in search of something that might suffice for the ameliora- 
tion of the condition in which he is, and therefore, he falls 
for anything that is impressively conveyed back to him, 
aye, anything that is suggestive of the tetmination of his 
troubles. Perhaps if I have a talk with him, I might suc- 
ceed in convincing him of his folly and also of how wise 
it would be if he escapes. 

Mrs. B. — May I have him appear before you? 

Lawyer Hunt— Yes, I would be very grateful if you 
do, not that it would benefit me any to interview him, but 
because through that he might derive some benefit. 

Mrs. B. — Then I will insist upon him having a talk 
with you. If you will excuse me for a few minutes, I will 
go to his room and bring him into your presence. 

Lawyer Hunt — The pleasure is yours. 
Mrs. B. retires. 
Mr. and Mrs. B. enter. 
Mrs. B. retires. 

Lawyer Hunt to Mr. B. — Quite a few years have 
elapsed since I last saw you, eh ? 

Mr. B. — Fully four years, I think. 

Lawyer Hunt — Well, generally speaking, how is every- 
thing ? 

Mr. B. — Ah, my friend, time has wrought great 
changes. A few years ago, if anyone had predicted what 
I am in now, I would not have credited it. After having 
struggled for sevral years up the hill of progress, I stood 
on its summit, not long ago, with glee, and viewed the 
prints which my weary feet left on time's way. I gazed 
with searching eyes and beside the prints, I saw here and 



42 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



there little spots made by the sweat which fell from, my 
brow, and still gazing on, I saw others, weary and tired, 
struggling up the steep way. Could I have helped them? 
Yes, but my heart was hardened. I was selfish. I en- 
joyed their picture not thinking that there might possibly 
come the time when I would awake in the morning and 
find myself down in the valley below. The morning which 
I never dreamt of came not long ago. I opened my eyes 
as usual with the expectation of gazing upon the sun of 
luxury shining brilliantly in my possession, but while I 
slept, a great change was wrought. I awoke and found 
myself in the firm grasp of destruction, nay indigence. 
The sun had lost its rays. Upon my life there was utter 
darkness. Everything seemed mysterious. I wondered at 
the great change for a litle while. Possibilities came up 
vividly before me of my successfully ameliorating my con- 
dition if I with indomitable courage endeavored to do it, 
I tried every possible effort to free myself from the iron 
grip of destruction but the same effort was only the means 
of hastening the materialization of the project which fate 
has now wrought. I carry with me now the indelible 
stigma of murder. Ignominy looks me full in the face. I 
try to elude its gaze, but all in vain. I pray the past to 
return, but it answers, "I return not." I try to console 
myself with the hopes of a better future, but my con- 
science points out to me the impossibility. I cannot rest! 
My mind is troubled. Life — , is nothing to me. Oh how 
much better it would be if I could pass this very moment 
into eternity! 

Lawyer Hunt — Be not discouraged, my friend, for 
inasmuch as you have committed a heinous crime there is 
yet time for forgiveness. If you take your own life, you 
will surely not be forgiven, for you will have no time to 
repent. 

Mr. B. — Why do you think that I might take my life? 

Lawyer Hunt — Did you not suggest it? 

Mr. B. — Yes, but not to you. How did you come in- 



THE FATE OF MR, BRADY 43 



to possession of the fact? 

Lawyer Hunt — You would not profit by it if I told 
you. Think not of that, my friend. The thing for you 
to think of now is escaping. You are not the first mur- 
derer, nor will you be the last. If you remain here, you 
will soon close your eyes in death, having not the oppor- 
tunity to redeem yourself, for "man seeketh your life to 
destroy it, whereas if you escape you will be out of the 
reach of their cruel hands ; you will be spared to make good 
with your God the wrong you have done and consequently 
live a life less miserable. 

Mr. B. — It is impossible for my life to become less 
miserable! As long as I remain alive and sane I will 
think of the deed I have done. Life is nothing to me— 
NOTHING. 

Lawyer Hunt — My friend, my advice to you is to go 
away. The change may do you good. If you remain here, 
it will not be long before man's cruel hands deprive you 
of your life. You cannot say that you value not your life, 
for you do. You feel tired of life because you are looking 
only at the dark side of it. If you look at the bright side, 
my friend, you will realize that there are many good 
things in it for you. You will come into possession of the 
fact that for all sins, for all deeds, for all crimes, there is 
forgiveness. God has several ways in converting sinners. 
He does it sometimes through the taking of the lives of 
those who are prepared to meet him. This is probably his 
way in converting you, for thou art completely changed 
now. Be not discouraged. God will take care of you. 

Mr, B. — Would God take care of as vile a sinner as 
I was? 

Lawyer Hunt — Ah, my friend, I am glad you used 
the word "was," for God deals not with persons according 
to what they were, he deals with them according to what 
they are. 

Mr. B. — Then, why should I escape? Cannot God take 



44 THE FATE OF MR. BRADY 



care of me here as well as he would if I became an exile 
from my only friend, my wife? If all you have said be 
true, I refuse to leave this place for God's power is greater 
than man's. If I escape, it would be because my trust is 
not in God, but in man. I fear no man living! Go bring 
police officers, bring detectives, and see if I'd blench. 
Mrs. B. enters. 

Mrs B. — Oh, pardon me. Have I interrupted you? 

Lawyer Hunt — I am glad you have for I was just 
about leaving. 

Lawyer Hunt retires. 

Mrs. B. — Well, are you convinced now that you must 
escape ? 

Mr. B. — No, I refuse to stoop so low. Like a man I 
shall face my destiny. I willfully murdered Harper. 
Whatever the consequence is, I am willing to suffer it. 
Ere my friend, Lawyer Hunt, interviewed me, my mind 
was morbid. Now it is clean, pure and healthful. 

Mrs. B. — Someone is at the door. 

Detective and two Police Officers enter. 

Detective to Mr. B. — Ah, scoundrel, when did you gain 

entrance to this city? Were you in this house since your 

cruel hands took Harper's life? For days I have sought 

you. Now that I have found you, come with me. 

Mr. B. (he laughs.) 

Mrs. B. (distracted) . 

Mr. B. (to Detective) — You cannot intimidate me. 

Detective — Scoundrel, bid your wife farewell. You 
are arrested. 

Mr. B. } Detective and Police Officers retiring. 

Mrs. B. (frantically) — Oh, please do not take him 
now, I entreat you. 

CURTAIN. 

THE END. 



